Indian Coal-Mining Regulations — Library

Regulation desk

A free, curated library of the regulations, circulars and codes that govern Indian coal mining — each with a plain-language summary, the official source, and a download. Built to help the industry, not to sell.

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Latest from DGMS

The newest circulars & notifications in the library.

31 Aug 2026DGMS (Tech) Circular 15 of 2026 — Guidelines for handling and use of e-Exploders in underground mines
31 Aug 2026DGMS (Tech) Circular 14 of 2026 — Guidelines for the use of permitted e-Detonators in underground mines
31 Aug 2026DGMS (Tech) Circular 13 of 2026 — Management of spares for DGMS-approved mining equipment
28 Aug 2026DGMS (Tech) Circular 12 of 2026 — Employment of women in mines
28 Aug 2026DGMS (Tech) Circular 11 of 2026 — Rock mass classification and support/slope design in metalliferous mines
28 Aug 2026DGMS (Tech) Circular 10 of 2026 — OEM spares in approved electrical equipment, and preserving flameproof and intrinsic safety protection

Draft-watch

What's changing — drafts, roll-outs and pending settlements.

Status last reviewed 12 Sep 2026.

Draft OSH&WC (Coal Mines) Regulations, 2026
Draft
G.S.R. 67(E) · 28 Jan 2026
Proposed successor to CMR 2017, made under the OSH&WC Code 2020 (s.136). The 45-day consultation window closed in March 2026 and no final notification has issued since, so the draft remains pending. CMR 2017 stays fully operative until it does.
Mining Plan & Mine Closure Guidelines, 2026
Draft
Stakeholder consultation · 31 Jul 2026
The Ministry of Coal has redrafted the mining plan and mine closure guidelines and held stakeholder consultation on 31 July 2026. No final instrument has been issued. MPG-2025 therefore remains in force; if the 2026 guidelines are notified they would supersede it, with plans uploaded before commencement staying under the 2025 regime.
The four Labour Codes — rollout
In transition
In force 21 Nov 2025
Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security and OSH&WC Codes brought into force; the (Central) Rules, 2026 were finalised 8 May 2026. Jharkhand notified its own Code on Wages and OSH&WC rules back in 2021, ahead of the Codes commencing.
NCWA-XII wage settlement
Pending
NCWA-XI ran to 30 Jun 2026
The Eleventh National Coal Wage Agreement, signed 20 May 2023, covered 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2026 and has now expired. The Twelfth has not been signed, and JBCCI-XII — the joint bipartite committee that negotiates it — is reported as still not constituted, with the central trade unions pressing publicly for its formation and a pending High Court matter cited among the obstacles. Nothing has issued to report.
CMR 2017 — Assistant Manager scale
Notified
G.S.R. 640(E) · 9 Oct 2025
Amendment fixing the scale of appointment of Assistant Managers in coal mines.
Forest clearance — Van Rules 2023
In effect
In force 1 Dec 2023
The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023 replaced the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022.

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The cornerstones

The core Acts, rules and codes that govern Indian coal mining. Everything else is in the full list below.

The Mines Act, 1952

Superseded

The principal Act of Parliament (No. 35 of 1952) that consolidates the law regulating labour and safety in mines across India, defining key terms and the powers of the Chief Inspector of Mines.

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The Mines Rules, 1955

In force

Rules made under Section 58 of the Mines Act, 1952 (SRO 1421 dated 2 July 1955) governing the general administration of mines, including canteens, notices, forms and duties of managers.

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The Mines Rescue Rules, 1985

In force

Rules (G.S.R. 325(E) dated 29 March 1985) made under the Mines Act, 1952 prescribing rescue-station and rescue-brigade requirements for below-ground mines.

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The Mines Vocational Training Rules, 1966

In force

Rules under the Mines Act, 1952 requiring and prescribing vocational training for persons employed in mines before they are put to work.

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Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 (G.S.R. 1449(E))

In force

The full Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 made under section 57 of the Mines Act, 1952, superseding the 1957 regulations and governing safety in every coal mine in India.

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The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

In force

The OSH&WC Code, 2020 consolidates thirteen labour laws on occupational safety, health and working conditions — including the Mines Act, 1952 and the Factories Act — into a single code. It covers working conditions, welfare facilities, hours of work, and safety obligations of employers, and provides the statutory basis (Section 136) under which the Draft OSH&WC (Coal Mines) Regulations, 2026 are being framed. It came into force on 21 November 2025.

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Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

In force

The MMDR Act, 1957 is the central law regulating the development and regulation of mines and minerals other than petroleum and natural gas. It governs the grant of mineral concessions (prospecting licences, mining leases and mineral auctions), royalty and the District Mineral Foundation, and empowers rules on mineral conservation and development. This consolidated version incorporates amendments through 2023.

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The full library

Search 313 regulations, circulars, notifications and codes across 10 areas. Each entry links to its official source, with a hosted copy where available.

Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 — Consolidated Amendments (2018–2024)

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The cornerstones

The Mines Act, 1952

The Mines Rules, 1955

The Mines Rescue Rules, 1985

The Mines Vocational Training Rules, 1966

Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 (G.S.R. 1449(E))

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

The full library